With the Referendum on the 8th Amendment just a matter of days away, we look at the how the constituency and country voted on the three constitutional amendments on the Right to Life in 1992.
The Twelfth Amendment proposed that the possibility of suicide was not a sufficient threat to justify an abortion. The proposal was rejected.
The country saw 65.35% voting no and 34.65% yes.
Laois Offaly had a vote of 37.19% in favour of the amendment and 62.81% against.
The referendum had three sections to it. The second referendum, the 13th, was on the right to travel.
The referendum was carried by a majority 62.39 per cent in favour and 37.61%. Laois/Offaly voted 56.54% in favour and 43.46%, representing a 13.09 per cent majority.
The 14th Amendment, on the right to information was carried nationally by 59.88% in favour and 40.12% against.
In Laois/Offaly the margin was much tighter with 53.84% in favour and 46.16% against – a margin of just 7.68%.
A particular feature in Laois/Offaly was confusion on the three amendments.
Over three thousands votes were spoiled in each of the three constitutional amendments.
There was also little activity at the count centre.
The Leinster Express reported at the time that only the counting staff, gardai and six members of the press were waiting for the announcement of the vote from the returning officer Jim Cahill on the predicatable verdict, which endorsed the right to information and travel, but rejected the wording on the substantive issue.
The then Minister for Labour Brian Cowen said the people had spoke and the Dail would now have to resolve the legal position on abortion.
Over 25 years later, and the nation is set to go to the polls again this Friday, May 25.
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